India-Qatar ties growing stronger: PM Modi

Doha: India-Qatar ties are growing ‘stronger and stronger’ and both sides are looking at collaborating in futuristic sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday following his talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that came days after the Gulf nation freed eight former Indian Navy personnel who were sentenced to death. Modi described his meeting with the Emir as ‘wonderful’ and said ways to deepen cooperation across various sectors were discussed. “Had a wonderful meeting with HH Sheikh @TamimBinHamad. We reviewed the full range of India-Qatar relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperation across various sectors. Our nations also look forward to collaborating in futuristic sectors which will benefit our planet,” Modi said on ‘X”. The discussions centred around bolstering bilateral relations, with a focus on deepening cooperation in areas of trade and investment, energy, space, cultural and people-to-people ties. “India and Qatar ties are growing stronger and stronger!,” Modi said in another post along with photographs of ceremonial welcome accorded to him in Doha.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the meeting between Modi and the Emir as ‘productive’ and said the prime minister thanked the Qatari leader for the welfare of the Indian community in that country. Modi arrived in this Qatari capital city last night after concluding a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates. “The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bolstering bilateral relations, with a focus on deepening trade & investment, energy, space, cultural & people to people ties,” Jaiswal said on ‘X’. “They also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues. PM thanked Amir for the welfare of the Indian community in Qatar,” he said.

Shortly after his arrival in Doha last night, Modi met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Abdulrahman is Qatar’s foreign minister as well. “The two leaders exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, energy, finance, and technology,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. “They also discussed recent regional developments in West Asia and emphasized the importance of upholding peace and stability in the region and beyond,” it said. Following the meeting, the Qatari prime minister hosted a dinner for Modi.